The official press conference marking the launch of the 9th edition of the African Competitive Intelligence Days (JAIE), scheduled to take place on 29 May 2026 at ENAM, was held on 22 May at the headquarters of the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (CAVIE) in Yaoundé.  Before representatives of several media outlets, including Intégration, Cameroon Tribune, Vision 4, Équinoxe, CRTV News, and the National Station, ACCI, the main organiser, together with IE237, the strategic partner for this edition, presented the key features of an event that has now become firmly established on the continental calendar.

Eight Editions: A Continental benchmark

Reaching this stage has been the result of a long journey.  its establishment, CAVIE has successfully organised eight editions of JAIE, steadily building a reputation that now extends well beyond Cameroon’s borders.  Over the years, these annual gatherings have become a recognised platform for reflection and action on economic intelligence in Africa, consistently bringing together decision-makers, researchers, institutions, and private-sector stakeholders.  This continuity and sustained commitment have today established CAVIE as a leading reference in the field of economic intelligence on the African continent.

Competitive Intelligence: What does it mean?

Competitive intelligence may be defined as “a mindset, a process, and a system for collecting, analysing, and disseminating strategic information useful for decision-making”.  Strategic information, for its part, refers to any economic, political, commercial, or technological data which, once analysed, enables risks to be anticipated, opportunities to be identified, and better-informed decisions to be made ahead of others.

In practical terms, how does this relate to the daily lives of Cameroonians?  The impact is far closer than one might imagine.  When a State has a strong command of information relating to international markets, it is better positioned to negotiate the prices of imported goods and, consequently, influence the cost of products such as flour, rice, or cooking oil on shop shelves.  Likewise, when a local business is able to anticipate market trends through strategic intelligence, it is better equipped to withstand foreign competition, safeguard jobs, and maintain affordable prices.  In other words, a country that masters competitive intelligence is a country that protects the purchasing power of its citizens.  This is precisely the challenge at the heart of JAIE 2026: making strategic information a genuine tool for development.

On the Agenda for 29 May at ENAM, Yaoundé

The day will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the official opening ceremony, featuring the keynote address by the President of CAVIE.  Four thematic panels will then follow, all centred around a common thread — the power of strategic information — examined through the lenses of inter-State relations, the public sector, the private sector, and the promotion of Cameroon’s strategic influence through IE237. 

IE237 at the forefront on 29 May

As a strategic partner of this edition, IE237 will play a prominent role throughout the event, with a dedicated exhibition stand and the facilitation of Panel 4, entirely devoted to strategic intelligence in support of Cameroon’s national influence and power.  The opportunity for this republican Think Do Tank to unveil its digital solutions lies in presenting a strategic intelligence platform and a 100% Cameroonian secure instant messaging application, two tools designed to address the concrete challenges of economic and information warfare faced by Cameroon. 

Key institutional partners

JAIE 2026 enjoys the active support of key institutional partners, including the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), Ministry of External Relations (MINREX), Ministry of Communication (MINCOM) and Ministry of Public Works (MINTP), alongside The SME Promotion Agency (APME), Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) and Cameroon News and Publishing Corporation (SOPECAM). Cameroon Customs and “Boissons du Cameroun” serve as official sponsors. This strong institutional backing confirms that African strategic sovereignty is now a shared priority at the highest level.

INTELLIGENCE ÉCONOMIQUE IE237